Monday, December 17, 2012

Blogger Spotlight: Interview With The Book Slayer


Welcome back to another fantabulous night of our 12 Nights of Christmas Event, hosted by Ana of Beach Bum Reads and Neyra of Darkest Addictions. A little while ago we got a chance to interview the one, the only... Book Slayer ;) We pulled Amanda away from her book slaying, if only for a minute and had a nice, if a very listful chit chat. Yes, listful, our good friend Amanda loves her some lists. 


Ana: Hey Amanda *smiles & waves Amanda over to join Neyra & myself on the couch* thanks for joining us today :) 
Neyra: *NomNomNo- stops mid cookie bite & looks up at Amanda >.< -NOM!!* ..Hi Amanda!! ^-^ ♥
Ana: *Glares at Neyra* Offer her a cookie! 
Neyra: -____- I was gonna offer one as soon as she sat down Ana, fml... *picks up cookie tray from lap* Cookie, Amanda? :)
Ana: Uh huh, I'll just bet you were!
Amanda: Well, if you insist. Who am I to turn down a cookie or two or the whole tray. *wink,wink* 
*Makes a grab for the whole tray.*

Ana: *Snags a cookie off the tray* I can't vouch for the milk here on the Dark Side, so I won't offer you any xD 
Neyra: Hey! *pulls tray back* b-bu-but -- these are mine! :(  My milk is fine thank you! Pfft -__- *Grumbles and gets up off the couch to bake more cookies. Turns to Amanda* We love you already Amanda, but would you tell our fellow bloggers a little about yourself? :]

Amanda: *grins* Sure thing. Well, where to start. Hmmm. Let’s see. I am a mother of 3 beautiful children. I married my highschool sweetheart 8 years ago. I tend to not mind insta-love novels so much due to the nature of our meeting.

Ana: AWWWW! EEKK *nudges Neyra* She married her highschool sweetheart!! So. Damned. Cute. *SQUEE*

Amanda: A day not too long ago, okay it was 10 years – 8 months- and 2 days ago not that I am counting, I walked into a room and spotted a brown haired, green eyed boy. He was sitting by a few other random people I didn’t know and could have cared less about because I only had eyes for him. Being me, I took the seat next to him and we started talking. He wasn’t just good looking but hilarious. What can I say?! I fell in love or at least lust.

Ana: lmbo... this story is getting more and more cute by the second. ;)
Neyra: I second that ^_^

Amanda: We talked for about an hour or so and then I had to go to a different room. I did, however, get his name, Joshua. The next thing I knew his mother was teaching the next class. She looked me right in the eye and said “He is not for you. He has a girlfriend and we love her.” If you know anything about me, you know not to make that sort of challenge. I smiled sweetly and assured I understood. Three months later we were dating. Two years after that we got married and are still married to this day with our 3 beautiful children.
Ana: OMFG. *grabs tissue and dabs at tears* you should write a book lmbo... I want.. every. single. detail. lol 
Neyra: Forever crying, smh.
Ana: ...someone decided to cut onions in here... that’s why I’m crying...
Neyra: Again...smh.

Amanda: I have a soft spot for all books where the girl sees boy, boy sees girl, girl wants boy, boy goes after girl, girl and boy fall madly in love and the rest is history. What can I say?!  To some point I lived it. *smiles*

Ana: You sure did live it. *raises hand* I, Ana, am hella jealous of your love story. *sigh*
Neyra: It was a really cute story :)

Amanda: Now I stay home, take care of my children ranging from 4 years old to 13 months, take care of the house work, cook (I mean heat up meals. ;) ) and read, read, read.

Ana: lol @ heat up meals. Hey, if you’re a busy mama, heating up meals is better than nothing!Neyra:  Nom nom nom... *holds out new tray of cookies* you can take these home with you ^_^
Ana:
*cough* Neyra... uh.. those are SPECIAL cookies. 
Neyra:
ooh *takes them back* you can have the Oreo’s on the counter 
Ana:
Uhmm.. Neyra.. those are SPECIAL too!
Neyra: *throws hands in air* unholy hell, is there any cookies that aren't SPECIAL?!
Ana: *shrugs* you tell me, you’re the founder of the Dark Side

Amanda: I have a passion for reading books. It is the one thing that I will admit is a guilty pleasure of mine. I absolutely adore any book that can take me on a journey where a hero saves the heroine. If you throw in some ass kicking, hot & steamy sex and a happily ever after I am there. Oh I do have a secret love, heck it’s not secret if you see my 5 star ratings, for the asshole alpha books. I love them demanding and in control. That does it for me every time.

Neyra: Gotta love them and all their asshole glory. Yumm. 
Ana: haha asshole alpha books. I’ma need to use that one time. I do love me some asshole alphas ;)

Amanda: Are you guys getting hot in here? *fans face* All this talk about sex and hot men gets me turned on. *fans face faster*

Ana: *hands out paper fans* lmbo. 
Neyra: *takes fan and fans self* thanks, hoochie. 
Ana: De nada, someone dun broke our AC wheeew.

Amanda: Do you have a safer topic we can switch too?
  
Ana: lol, we sure do :p … The year is finally coming to an end, what are some of your favorite books read this year? Worst?

Amanda: Oh my favorites for this year are hard. I think this year authors really stepped up their game. I have read more original books/concepts this year than in previous ones. Maybe it is because I read more, but I like to think that it might be due to the increasing amount of books published these days. Let’s see…
.
My Top 5 Favorite Books This Year Are…
1. Angelfall by Susan Ee
2. Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff
3. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
4. Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
5. Backstage Pass by Olivia Cunning
My Top 5 Worst Books This Year Are…
1. Reckoning by Lilith Saintcrow
2. Charmed and Dangerous by Candace Havens
3. How to Dance with a Duke by Manda Collins
4. Fifty Shades Freed by E.L. James
5. Defiance by C.J. Redwine
Most of these have committed the sin known as the whiplash effect; others had the problem where the heroine was supposed to be tough but turned out to be a complete doormat. Ugh. Okay, one book *cough # 1* had the worst ending I have ever. EVER. Read in the history of any series. It claims the first and only WTF review I have written to-date..

Ana: Oooh. Beautiful Disaster made it to your top 5! Oh, yeah! *does happy dance* I did love me some Travis Mad Dog Maddox ;)
Neyra: Was there a book you read this year you were anxiously waiting for, but left you feeling disappointed instead of elated?

Amanda: Oh my. I think that Defiance by C.J. Redwine and Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas are tied for that award. One made my head hurt and the other was so much like a favorite book of mine *Poison Study, cough, cough* that my heart ached for originality. I mean when the quotes almost match word for word you know it is bad. Just saying.

Ana: List your top 5 alpha-males from books you’ve read this year and why you chose them.

Amanda: First off, I have to say that I am huge into re-reading. Therefore, any book with a hero and heroine I adore I have probably re-read at least twice this year. I can’t help it. It’s like replaying a good movie, but with a book. *shrugs shoulders* It works for me. That being said…

My Top 5 Alpha-Males This Year Are…

1. Curran from the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews.
He is the Beast Lord! Do I really need to say anymore?! I didn’t think so. If you haven’t read this series, it is a must. Kate is one heroine that I would pit against all else and she would win, hands down. So you can imagine that Curran is that much more of a Badass in every way. Yay, to some awesome writing between a wife and husband duo.

2. Reyes from the Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones.
If you haven’t read this series please skip to number 3 due to spoilers. You have been warned… Reyes is the son of Satan, ergo a Badass! The man has commanded armies in the past. He doesn’t take no for an answer and will get his way in the end. Plus he was born with these tattoos which are actually part of the whole being the son of Satan thing. So Badass plus tattoos, yup he’s a keeper for me. Charley can hold her own too being a reaper and all. ;)

3. Travis Maddox from Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Travis is a fighter and I mean that in the most literal way. He earns his money for college by fighting underground. Fighter, Tattoos and Demanding, it hits all my buttons. Hehehe Are you seeing a pattern yet?

4. Cage from the St.Croix Chronicles by Karina Cooper.
The man wields a whip. Do I really need to say anymore?! Well, if you insist. He also is very protective and doesn’t take no for an answer. The man is sexy as hell and runs a menagerie. This series is a steampunk one you don’t want to miss. I promise. I am begging Ms.Cooper for more Cage and Cherry time in the next book.

5. Zsadist from the Black Dagger Brotherhood series (book 3, Lover Awakened) by J.R. Ward.
I cannot even count the amount of times I have read this book. I adore Zsadist. He and John Matthew are tied for my favorite BDB boys. True to his name, Zsadist sure knows how to give pain. He came from the blackest background yet in the series, but was reborn through Bella, his mate. Love it. Oh yeah, he is demanding as hell and definitely doesn’t take no for an answer. The one feature that sets him apart from all the others on this list is that he has thick scar on his face from the time he spent in slavery, therefore people avoid looking at him.

Ana: Mmm. Yeah... you’ve got a mighty fine line up there *wags eyesbrows*
Neyra: Tell us, kinky fuckery or vanilla sex with your alphas?

Amanda: That’s easy peasy. Kinky fuckery please. In case you haven’t noticed the pattern, I don’t do nice sweet boys. Nope I want them large and in charge.

Ana:
Mhmm. LARGE and IN CHARGE. Get it guuuurl ;)
Neyra:
...she said LARGE AND IN CHARGE! -roflmao- *dies*
Ana:
lmbo.. you can get up off the floor now xD 
Neyra:
>.<
Ana:
Now that Neyra is done rolling around on the floor, back to the interview ^_^... You’re on a ship with a box full of your favorite books (50 books) The ship is sinking (some Titanic type shizz) and you only have room for 5 books in your bag to take with you on the smaller boat. What books do you take with you?

Amanda: Oh My God! *tries not to hyperventilate* I just… I have a hard time with this situation. One, I have a huge fear of drowning and therefore would never be caught dead on any type of ship in the ocean. *shudders* Two, how can I pick only 5. There are so many good books out there but I if I had to pick I would save…

Neyra: *hands Amanda a paperbag*
Ana:  Breathe In - hold your breath - now let it out ;) 
Neyra:  Really, Ana? smh. 
Ana: …. shush you. 

1. Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews – I love my copy because it is worn in and this is one of my favorites in the series. I have all my favorite passages marked.
2. The Prince by Tiffany Reisz – I can’t live without some sexy Soren time. Plus that book was brilliant. I don’t know how Ms. Reisz manages that kind of mind fuck but it was awesome. It took a while to recover from, let me tell you. I have no desire to be topped by that woman.
3. Ransom by Julie Garwood – This book is my favorite in the highlander romance area. I adore Brodick and Gillian. To be honest, I think this book is when I fell in love with Highlander novels.
4. Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder – Yelena and Valek are one of my favorite couples. An Assassin who falls in love with his prisoner. Wrongs were righted and he teaches her how to kick some serious ass.
5. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling – I have to have at least one of this series. Ms. Rowling is an amazing author. True magic can be found in the words of her books. I would want to save this one so I can finish reading it with my daughter and continue to with the rest of my children. I am a huge Potter fan and so are my kids, yes they watch the first two movies already.

Neyra: Your favorite genres, list them in order from least favorite to the best.

Amanda: Well least favorite is easy – Nonfiction anything. I live in the real world and therefore, don’t want to read about the real world. I want to lose myself in an alternative universe, which is why Contemporary Romance is hit or miss for me. Let’s see…

Nonfiction
Horror – I scare easily esp. with ghost books, it’s true.
Chick-lit – this has to be British to work, weird I know but there you have it.
Mystery – hit or miss
Thriller – needs a military man
Fantasy
Young Adult - (I can only do YA for so long)
Contemporary – hit or miss
Historical – England setting. I don’t do westerns, sorry.
Paranormal – I enjoy almost all of them with an Alpha Male.
Romance – If the book has romance in it, I will probably enjoy it.
Ana: Finish this … “Weeee are never, ever, ever….”

Amanda: Going to get over the fact that Taylor Swift’s songs are all about break-ups. It makes me wonder why any guy would go out with her. Seriously, do they have a wish to be immortalized in a bad break-up song?! They must.

Neyra:  You’re at a book blogger convention where you’re sure to find your favorite authors. Who are they? And would you be shy or walk up to them like a BOSS?

Amanda: I have so many favorite authors. I would have to meet Lara Adrian. I love her Midnight Breed series. Midnight Awakening is my favorite.  I had joined in a twitter conversation she was having about Beautiful Disaster, which I love, and that’s when I heard about the Asshole Alpha reference. Well, I agree with Ms. Adrian. I have a thing for Asshole Alphas. Don’t ask why, I couldn’t tell you. It’s just a pattern I noticed after she mentioned it. So I would have to get a picture with her, maybe I would hold up a sign “I heart Asshole Alphas” or something like that. Lol

I would love to meet Tiffany Reisz. I can’t get enough of the Original Sinners series, however, I have had a few questions I have been dying to ask her about. It all stemmed from a tweet she posted and it has stuck with me. I don’t have the tweet saved, however to my knowledge it had to do with a safeword being when you run the fuck away. My question is who is this person and can I meet him?  To be honest this one probably will never ever happen. This question is really only appropriate for play parties with people I trust, but the curiosity is there.

I would have to meet Stacia Kane as well. Downside Ghosts series is one of my favorites. The sad part is that I only have her books on my nook. A picture and signature would be a must. But really I want to talk to her. She seems to be a down-to-earth kinda woman. Plus I have to make sure that the rest of the series will be published.  I have mad love for Chessie and Terrible.

There are more and I could go on and on but I think you get the idea that I probably have something to ask each one of them. LOL.

I would definitely walk up to them. What is the worst that can happen? They ignore me, think I am odd?! At best I get to talk to them about their books and what it’s like to be an author.

Ana: At this book blogger convention, a little mousy child runs you over to the authors signature table you…
A)   Run her over while screaming “Take that biiiitch!”
B) Go ape shit and start throwing shit at her
C) Lock her in the closet for the rest of the convention

Neyra: *Note to self: When going to blogger conventions.... keep away from Ana and her author tables >.<* LOL
Ana: *shrugs* I didn’t say that’s what I would do.

Amanda: Umm. I am a little scared for you to have kids. I don’t think any of those would be good. …. *looks around and tries not to make eye contact* Well, I pick D. Grab the child’s hand and explain that this is an adult/young adult convention and we need to find his/her mother. This would involve going to the front desk or asking security. I would hate to think of my child running around at a place like that with no supervision. This could very well lead to charges of child neglect. Big, scary words but it’s true. Things happen but you would be surprised with how little it takes for those charges to be pressed. Sigh. Sorry, I hit mommy mode. I am adamant about knowing where my children are. I keep hoping it gets better but it doesn’t.
Neyra: Oh, snap *looks to Ana* she told you...girls got balls
Ana: Mhm.. massive mommy balls *turns to Amanda* Good answer *cough* I was *cough* testing you *cough* wheew. I think there’s a coughing bug going around lmbo. 
Neyra: Uh huh, sure you were *rolls eyes*

Blogger buddies! You have them, how many do you know in person? And how did ya’ll meet?

Amanda: I actually haven’t met anyone in person yet. Amber I. from Awesome Sauce Bookclub lives the closest to me, but between both of our family lives we have been unable to meet. I guess you can say that when you have kids life gets crazy fast. You have all been warned. *wink, wink*

Ana: Do you prefer reading physical or eBooks?

Amanda: Depends. I love the smell of new books and the feel of books that I have broken in, such as my Kate Daniels series. I do enjoy ebooks when it comes to nighttime reading. I can prop it up and just hit the button when I want the page turned. This saves my hands from cramping.

Neyra: What has been the hardest part of blogging? The easiest?

Amanda: The hardest part is trying to do a post every day. Since I do not have any co-bloggers it is all on me. This works because I don’t have anyone else’s reputation to raise up or ruin, but coming up with and writing new posts all week gets hard with kids. So if I don’t post for a day or a while it is usually due to kids and family life. I always put them first.

The easiest part is that I get to decide how my blog looks, what is posted and when. I don’t have anyone to answer to but myself. I am who I am and love what I love.

Ana: Oh, I agree. Posting everyday can be a freakin’ hassle. *puts out a co-blogger application* HEAR YE, HEAR YE... lol

Where is your favorite place to read?

Amanda: In bed with the heating pad on, snuggled under loads of blankets. I have poor circulation and so I tend to always be freezing. I have found that the heating pad on my kidneys will do the trick before I go to sleep.

Neyra: That sounds so comfy. ^_^ 

How do you manage your personal life with your blogging life? Is it easy or hard for you?

Amanda: It is harder around the holidays. I love to make and do countdowns with my children. So you can imagine trying to not only create a countdown, but come up with activities for everyday is tiring. Then I have to actually do them with the kids and by the end of the day I am so exhausted that I just want to go read in bed. Hence, I haven’t blogged for a while, sorry.

Ana: Vamped up hawties with daggers or beefed up hunks with claws?

Amanda: I pick beefed up hunks with claws. Vamps are sexy and all but they tend to be more refined. I want the tough, big build, rub-some-dirt-in-it type of guy. If I had to go with a paranormal vamp from a book that I adore it would be Eric Northman from the Sookie Stackhouse series. He is a Viking so I think he fits the build quite well. *grins* Now in the were-animals it would be Curran, hands down.
Ana: So haven’t read those but hey... I can dig it ;) Beefed up hunks with claws RAAAAWR 

Neyra: She’s human, he’s a paranormal, is this a problem? I find it dull sometimes depending on the female.. what’s your take?

Amanda: I can understand that. I find that in most cases this usually plays out in the heroine, the human, being a doormat or unable to hold her own. So I do tend to like the female to have something special about her that puts her close to the hero’s level.

Ana: With Christmas just around the corner, what are you most anticipating about the holidays? The food? Family? Presents?

Amanda: I love the food. I love all the candy that comes out for Christmas. Presents are always nice, but once you have kids they taper off and that’s okay. Umm. Family? Maybe not so much, I love them but it gets crazy when we all get together. To be fair it might just be the in-laws but if you don’t tell I won’t.

Neyra: Got any books on your Christmas list you’re eagerly anticipating?

Amanda: Always. I always have a list of books I want. People stopped asking me what books I want because my list is never ending and always changing so they just get me gift cards now. I actually was lucky enough to receive an ARC of Crimson Frost by Jennifer Estep recently. It comes out around Christmas and I was thrilled I didn’t have to wait. By the way, it was awesome.

Ana: Santa’s making his rounds… are you on his naughty list or his nice list?

Amanda: I plead the fifth on this question. I think it depends on who you ask. *smiles sweetly*

Ana: *Snickers and turns to Neyra* Definitely on the naughty list. lmbo. ;)
Neyra: Mhmm, she sure is xD 

Santa the hottie’s looking for his naughty elf, you up for the challenge?

Amanda: Hell yeah. He sure knows how to wield a whip so I am all for it. *grins* I bet you weren’t expecting that one.

Ana: Haha... we sure weren't...Thanks so much for joining us today, Amanda! It was a pleasure having you here with us :)
Neyra: It sure was! We had a lot of fun digging—I mean, getting to know you a little more ;) Thanks for stopping by Amanda!

Amanda: Thanks for having me ladies. I had fun answering all your questions and the cookies were delicious. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas. 


Concluding our little interrogation *cough* uh, interview with Amanda, we’re going to be giving away ONE eBook copy, winners choice, of any of Amanda’s fave reads of 2012!

     

How to enter:
Fill out the rafflecopter below to enter.
MUST be BOTH a follower of Beach Bum Reads and Darkest Addictions to be eligible to win.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good luck to all who enter!


6 comments:

  1. I love Nene Leakes and those disco cookies looks yum!

    New follower on GFC and Twitter

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  2. I love Travis and Zadist too. Definitely on the top of my alpha male list!

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  3. Sezzy alpha's.. nom nom nom. Travis makes my "new adult alpha" list... he's no match for Zadist or any of the Brothers ;) lol but he's up there xD


    Ana♥

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  4. Thanks for the follow <3 lol....I can only imagine if they sold disco cookies xD


    Ana♥

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  5. LOL I love how 50 shades hasn't fared so well during the event. ::snort:: Ahhh and another Curran fan! Love that kitty shifter <3


    Nice interview ladies!

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  6. Great interview! I would love to meet Stacia Kane too.

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